New Jersey becomes last state to ban self-serve gas stations

New Jersey is now the only state in the nation to ban drivers from operating their own gas pump at the gas station.

Oregon, the only other state to ban the practice, just enacted a new law allowing counties in the state with less than 40,000 residents to abandon full-service gas stations. The law says that it is up to the individual station as to whether or not they make the change.

The idea of self-serve gas pumps in New Jersey has been floated around over the years. The last state official to propose legalizing the practice was former Gov. Jon Corzine in 2006.

Corzine’s plan to allow it as an option for a three-month trial basis was withdrawn after backlash from lawmakers and the public.

In fact, many New Jersey drivers tell News 12 New Jersey that they prefer to have a gas station attendant pump their fuel.

“I will stop driving if I have to pump my own gas,” says Woodbridge resident Kathy Cohen. “It scares the heck out of me. I have too much electricity in my body that I’m afraid that I’m going to start one of those fires.”

Other drivers say that they like not having their hands smell like gas or risking spilling gasoline on their clothing. Others cited being able to stay inside their cars during the winter months and not having to go out into the cold to pump fuel.

The largest U.S. seller of San Marzano tomatoes, known to food lovers as the best tomatoes to make pasta sauce, has been hit with two federal lawsuits claiming what's inside the can isn't the real thing.

The largest U.S. seller of San Marzano tomatoes, known to food lovers as the best tomatoes to make pasta sauce, has been hit with two federal lawsuits claiming what's inside the can isn't the real thing.